_Dom._ Go quickly then. If thou do well in this, I will reward thee well. 1221 _Sel._ I will deserve it. [_Exeunt._ SCENE · 3 _The room in Otho’s house. Enter POPPÆA and MAID._ _MAID._ Madam, the litter waits. _POPPÆA._ Give me my mirror, miss. Why, see how slovenly thou’st done my hair; ’Tis out already. _Maid._ With your pardon, madam, ’Tis very well. Nay, ’tis as firm as a rock. You look your best to-night. _Pop._ Where is the flower I gave thee? _Maid._ Here, my lady. _Pop._ Put it in. There, there. Ay, that will do. Now where’s my cloak? [_Exit Maid._ _Enter Otho._ _OTHO._ So then you are going? _Pop._ Yes, I go alone, 1230 Since you will not come with me. _Oth._ You are always free To have your way; but when your wish is mine, It is twice yours. This time you know ’tis not: And were I used to set constraint upon you, Could it be said Otho e’er crossed his wife With a command, it should be now: I’d say This I forbid. _Pop._ And why? _Oth._ I entreat you, dearest. _Pop._ I am pledged to go. _Oth._ Go not. _Pop._ There’s now no choice. _Oth._ A light excuse would serve: a sudden sickness, A cold, a headache. Do not go. _Pop._ Why, look! 1240 If you are not jealous, Otho! jealous, jealous. You see not straight. _Oth._ I see you smile on Cæsar. _Pop._ And think you, then, I must have turned my love Where I have smiled? that I would play you false For the pleasure of it? _Oth._ Why then sup with Cæsar? _Pop._ A trifle hangs upon him I would wear,— The world. _Oth._ So dazzled by the imperial splendour! Think: to be Cæsar’s mistress for a year Is not to rule the world. _Pop._ I will be Cæsar’s wife. _Oth._ Ah! look you then so high? 1250 _Pop._ Who shall be called my rival? _Oth._ Cæsar’s wife. _Pop._ She hinders not. _Oth._ Oh, thou would’st never dare it, Did’st thou not love him. _Pop._ What should I not dare? _Oth._ Hast thou considered well the ambiguous style Thou goest to take, and yet determined? _Pop._ Ay. _Oth._ ’Tis death, ’tis death. I speak now but for thee: Not for myself. The cup Octavia drinks To quit thy place thou too wilt come to taste.